Senator Bam Aquino has filed a measure seeking to prohibit political dynasties in the country, stressing that the passage of an anti-dynasty law is a necessary precursor to any moves to amend the 1987 Constitution.

 “Kailangan nating ipasa ang anti-political dynasty law nang mabilisan, lalo na ngayong may banta ng Cha-Cha at pinipilit ang Pederalismo,” said Sen. Bam, author of Senate Bill No. 1688.

“I call on Congress to pass the Anti-Political Dynasty Act before any moves towards Federalism,” Sen. Bam added.

Sen. Bam said that no less than the 1987 Constitution itself prohibits political dynasties, but there is a need for an implementing law to enforce it.

 “There are already 6 anti-political dynasty bills filed and we have the Constitution on our side. I am confident we will have the votes to pass an anti-political dynasty law in the Senate,” Sen. Bam affirmed.

If passed into law, Senate Bill No. 1688 will prohibit the spouse, or any person related within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity to an incumbent elective official seeking re-election from holding or running for any elective office in the same province in the same election.

 If the incumbent elective official is a national one, the aforementioned relatives shall be disqualified from running only within the same province where the former is registered voter.

If none of the candidates are related to an incumbent elective official but are related to one another within the said prohibited degree, they and their spouses, shall be disqualified from holding or running for any local elective office within the same province in the same election.

 In all cases, no person within the prohibited civil degree of relationship to the incumbent official shall immediately succeed to the position of the latter.

 Sen. Bam hopes an anti-political dynasty law will give the Filipino people a greater variety of candidates to vote for, with new names, faces, platforms and solutions for the country.

 “We must encourage and empower more excellent Filipinos with a passion for service, to run for office and change the Philippine government from within,” said Sen. Bam.